downtheroad wrote: If it is too windy to leave it out without staking and tying it down than it's too windy to leave it out safely.
Besides if it is tied and staked, it takes longer to roll it up and that could be the time difference it takes to damage the awning in sudden gusty wind situations.
Lots of folks will disagree with this opinion.. it's just one person's procedure and it has worked well for us. We camp a lot on the windy Oregon Coast.
I agree totally,in Yuma we staked and tied and cross roped,but as the man in the RV shop said no awning is designed for 48 mph. winds.When we had to take it down it took forever with the sun room etc. out.after all these years we have gone back to taking it in and out every night and when we are gone.No more shaking and flapping at night,quieter also.If it is nice enough to sit outside it is out also,way less hassel.
We have been staking them since one night even with awning de-flappers and ratchet straps to tie it down, we lost the awning, and because it was hooked on the trailer, the walls were damaged.
I prefer to fix the awning or buy a new one than the damage the trailer suffered. It has never looked the same although the fix was a good one.
We tried rolling the awining up when we saw a strom quickly approaching. Ended up ripping the material at the top and darn near getting one person hurt. As it was we couldn't finish putting it up and it was floppint against the side. I now stake it down with rachet straps and leave the legs attached. If I am sure there is time befor the storm it will get rolled up. If I can already hear the wind, I let it ride. I try to keep the low end into the wind.
Oh, and don't try to lower a awning that has a big bulge full of water. The arms will colapse as my neighbor found out the hard way. Use a broom or something that will spread out the force and gently push up to let small amounts of water to drain off until empty.
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